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QLD · Principal

Principal salary in Queensland state schools (2026)

Queensland state school principals earn $146,776 (Level 1) to $242,573 (Level 10) from 7 Sep 2026. Every level, take-home pay and what drives your level.

✓ Fact-checked against official sources Updated 16 October 2026 3 min read

From

$146,776

Up to

$242,573

Take-home / fortnight

$4,172

Effective

September 2026

On this page (5 sections)
  1. Principal pay in QLD
  2. What principals take home
  3. How levels work
  4. Arbitration and the October 2025 offer
  5. FAQs

The short answer

Queensland state school principals earn between $146,776 and $242,573 a year from 7 September 2026, across ten levels (PR1 to PR10) with two paypoints each. Level 1 pays $146,776 to $149,372; Level 10 pays $237,564 to $242,573. Rates include the 3% QIRC interim rise.

Principal pay in Queensland depends on your school's classification, from Level 1 (formerly Band 5) for small schools to Level 10 for the largest. The table below shows the lower paypoint of each level; the upper paypoint is noted beside it.

Principal pay in Queensland

ClassificationAnnual salaryTake-home / fortnight
Principal Level 1 (PR102 / PR103)$146,776$4,172
Principal Level 2 (PR202 / PR203)$154,845$4,361
Principal Level 3 (PR302 / PR303)$163,363$4,561
Principal Level 4 (PR402 / PR403)$172,346$4,772
Principal Level 5 (PR502 / PR503)$181,827$4,994
Principal Level 6 (PR602 / PR603)$191,829$5,223
Principal Level 7 (PR702 / PR703)$202,377$5,438
Principal Level 8 (PR801 / PR802)$213,442$5,664
Principal Level 9 (PR901 / PR902)$225,182$5,903
Principal Level 10 (PRX01 / PRX02)$237,564$6,155

Queensland state school principals are paid $146,776 (Level 1) to $242,573 (Level 10 upper paypoint) from 7 Sep 2026, depending on the school's classification. Effective 7 September 2026.

What principals take home

LevelSalaryTake-home (2026-27)
Level 1 (PR102)$146,776$108,463
Level 10 upper (PRX02)$242,573$162,694

After income tax and Medicare, no HELP. Above $190,000 the marginal rate is 47%.

How levels work

Levels 1 to 7 replaced the old Band 5 to Band 11 (SL1 to SL7) titles, and Levels 8 to 10 sit above them. Teaching principals in small schools get extra admin time under CA2022. Level 1 and 2 principals earn less than a deputy principal ($161,746), so a move to a small-school principalship is often a career step, not a pay rise.

Arbitration and the October 2025 offer

The rejected October 2025 offer promised principals an average of $200,000+ but doesn't apply. Principals got the 3% interim agreement rise from 7 September 2026; the final QIRC decision will set the next rates. See the pay rise explainer.

Thinking about the path to principal? Read how to become a principal and compare your options with the promotion pay calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a principal earn in Queensland?
$146,776 to $242,573 a year from 7 September 2026, depending on the school's level (1 to 10).
What is a Level 1 principal's salary in Queensland?
$146,776 to $149,372 a year (PR102 and PR103) from 7 September 2026.
What is the highest principal salary in Queensland state schools?
$242,573 at Level 10 upper paypoint (PRX02), about $162,694 after tax.
Do Queensland principals earn more than deputies?
Only from Level 3. Level 1 and 2 principals earn less than a deputy principal's $161,746 to $164,605.
Did Queensland principals get a pay rise in 2026?
Yes, the 3% QIRC interim rise from 7 September 2026.

Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026

  1. 1.DoE Salary Schedule (xls, updated 1 Sep 2026)
  2. 2.QTU Updated Salary Schedule flyer (1 Oct 2026)
  3. 3.QTU: Salaries under CA2022
  4. 4.QTU: EB referred to arbitration (QTJ Vol 131 No 1)
  5. 5.QTU: Pathway to arbitration and QTU submissions (QTJ Vol 131 No 4)
  6. 6.Teach Queensland: Pay and benefits
  7. 7.Teach Queensland: Beginning teacher incentives and support
  8. 8.QIRC: CA2022 certificate CB/2022/135

About this page

Written and fact-checked by the TeacherPay AU editorial team against the enterprise agreements, awards and official pages listed in the sources. It is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it, usually within a day. See our editorial policy and how we calculate.